The Rejuvenating Fertility Center lawsuit drawing the most attention is a wrongful death medical malpractice case filed in October 2022 over the death of patient Jessnyra Jimenez. It is still active in New York Supreme Court as of mid-2026. A separate employment lawsuit brought by a former billing manager was closed in December 2025 on terms that have not been made public.
The Wrongful Death Malpractice Case
Ramona Vargas, acting as administrator of Jessnyra Jimenez’s estate, filed the suit on October 28, 2022 in New York County. The case, Ramona Vargas, Administrator of the Estate of Jessnyra Jimenez (Deceased) v. Rejuvenating Fertility Center et al., carries case number 805345/2022 and is before Judge John J. Kelley.1Trellis Law. Affirmation in Support, Vargas v. Rejuvenating Fertility Center
The defendants include Rejuvenating Fertility Center, Rejuvenating Fertility Center NY PLLC, Merhi Medicine PLLC, Dr. Zaher Merhi, Dr. Lyonel Paul, Dr. Abul Kashem, Dr. Hendrik Sy, East Coast Anesthesia P.C., and additional medical entities added over the course of the litigation, including Huntington Medical Practice PLLC, American Anesthesia Associates P.C., and Sina Medical Associates LLC.1Trellis Law. Affirmation in Support, Vargas v. Rejuvenating Fertility Center
The specific factual allegations behind the malpractice claims have not been made fully public in available court summaries. The case centers on Jimenez’s death and raises claims against both the fertility clinic and multiple anesthesia providers. The plaintiff filed a Bill of Particulars directed specifically at Merhi Medicine PLLC and Dr. Merhi, pointing to detailed negligence allegations against the clinic’s founder.2UniCourt. Ramona Vargas v. Rejuvenating Fertility Center et al.
Where the Case Stands
In February 2024, the court was addressing a motion by Dr. Lyonel Paul seeking a protective order to keep deposition questioning away from a 2002 consent decree he had entered with the New York Office of Professional Medical Conduct.1Trellis Law. Affirmation in Support, Vargas v. Rejuvenating Fertility Center
As of June 2026, the case remains open. The parties filed cross-motions for summary judgment and motions related to punitive damages as recently as June 4, 2026, activity that puts the case near a possible trial or a ruling on whether it can reach one. The pursuit of punitive damages suggests the plaintiff’s team is arguing the conduct went beyond ordinary negligence.2UniCourt. Ramona Vargas v. Rejuvenating Fertility Center et al.
The Former Billing Manager’s Wage Suit
On February 26, 2024, Kimberly Vilchez-Arias sued Rejuvenating Fertility NY PLLC and associated defendants in Bronx County Supreme Court. The case was docketed under personal injury and torts, but the complaint pressed employment claims. Vilchez-Arias said she worked as a billing manager from October 2020 to February 2021, averaged 81 hours per week, and was underpaid for that work. She alleged Dr. Merhi, as owner and officer, directly controlled hiring, firing, pay rates, and scheduling.3UniCourt. Kimberly Vilchez-Arias v. Rejuvenating Fertility NY PLLC et al.
The case was assigned to Judge Erik L. Gray and closed as of December 2025. The terms of the resolution have not been publicly disclosed.3UniCourt. Kimberly Vilchez-Arias v. Rejuvenating Fertility NY PLLC et al.
The Clinic and Its Founder
Rejuvenating Fertility Center is a reproductive medicine practice founded by Dr. Zaher Merhi, a reproductive endocrinologist. The practice operates locations in New York, Connecticut, Long Island, Nassau, and the Bahamas.4USA Today. Pushing the Boundaries of Fertility: Dr. Zaher Merhi’s Quest to Redefine Reproductive Medicine Neither Dr. Merhi nor the clinic has publicly commented on the pending malpractice case through available reporting.